dirtbiker

Hello, long time lurker and I'm finally buying my first Lexus. I'm looking at a couple of 2008 RX350's tomorrow and would appreciate some advice on specific things to look for with this model year.

I've looked at one already and the interior is perfect except for a small dashboard crack that I don't believe I can get fixed due to missing the deadline. Seriously, the interior looks like a new car I was very impressed. She has Michelin's with 30-40% wear, I opened the oil cap and inside it looked exceptional. It's a one owner, local with lots of maintenance records but from a small shop and not a Lexus dealership. Had a squeaky belt that's since been fixed and also has had a cam sprocket(?) replaced because apparently it's an issue with 1 out of 3 RX's. Colors are Silver and Silver asking price is $11,200 with 117K, it's made in Canada and I think he is pretty firm on price.

Next one I haven't seen yet, it's White with Tan, 114K milesnew Yokohama tires asking $9999 made in Japan and on the market for a couple of months so I hope he is flexible. Ad says like new and it does look good in the pics so we'll see........

Any tips would he helpful, Thank you.

P.S, there is one more that caught my eye but it's been wrecked so I probably won't even go look at it. The gentleman told me the damage was not bad and he can show pictures. If that is true why would it have a rebuilt title? That just seems strange to me. It's a 2006 330 the interior is pristine and it only has 81K miles asking price is 9K.

P.S.S I'm in Atlanta, if anyone knows of one please let me know.

Thanks again!

RXGS

iTrader: (2)

Leaking power steering racks, leaking water pumps, and sometimes listen to rear wheel bearings. Besides that very good cars.

05RX330AWD

At around 114 miles for both first vehicles verify if the Timing Belt & related parts were done.
Rebuilt title is iffy, lowers the value of the vehicle considerably.

edwardh11

put on a lift, check for leaks esp power steering pump.

dirtbiker

Thanks for the tips.

The white on turned out to be a total POS. It amazes me what people will say in their ads, I went back and read the ad and the guy says "it's like new" which couldn't be farther from the truth.

Since we were out I decided to look at a 2011 with 74500 miles for 18500. It was pretty good, drove extremely well but had lots of scuffs and scratches on the outside and far too many scuffs and stains on the inside. I'm ruling out tan interior because it doesn't seem to age well. We also went to Carmax and even their 2012+ with Tan didn't look great.

So I'm considering upping my price range and getting into something much newer, I can afford it but I'm also cheap so when push comes to shove I may be my own worst enemy when it comes to writing the check. Well, let me rephrase cheap, I have other things to consider in my life like house and family, saving for college, saving for retirement, but the newer ones sure are nice!

I missed out on a 2010 with 107K for 14K and i also called on a 2012 for 21,500 but someone already has a deposit on it.

Going to look at the Silver 2008 again tomorrow, I already know it's pristine (I'll ask them to put it on the lift), it's more for the wife to see it. If I go that route it would be passed on to my daughter in 4 years when she starts driving.

PEACE!

DennisMik

The RX is a pretty good car (as previously stated). 05RX330AWD pointed out about checking if the timing belt was replaced. This is valid for the RX330 with the 3.3 liter engine, But the RX350 with the 3.5 liter engine is a different critter so that concern doesn't apply as the belt was replaced with a chain.

The RX350 engine does have 2 oil leak concerns. One is a rubber oil line for the variable valve timing mechanism (VVTI) that will leak and maybe burst. An even more serious oil leak is the main oil cooler line (also rubber) that will leak and burst. Lexus extended the warranty on these items to 10 years, so a 2008 should still be covered.

Lex2000TL

350 engine is timing chain, not timing belt. No need to worry about this service.